Ret U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Leon A. Torkelson, CFP, 73, of Atchison County passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 5, 2017 at  St Francis Hospital in Topeka.   

He was born on August 17, 1943 to S. Albert and Ella C. (Tobiason) Torkelson in Horton, KS.  He married Glenda C. Sims on August 25, 1963 in Kansas City, KS.   

Leon grew up in rural Everest, KS and after graduating from ACCHS, he attended Kansas State Teachers College where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.   He graduated from the Univ of Kansas with a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting and was headed to law school at the Univ of Florida when Uncle Sam came calling.   In the Air Force as a fighter pilot, he flew the F-4, F-5, and F-16, served in Vietnam, and was stationed all over the world, including five years in Germany.  In 1987, after over 20 years of service, he retired and moved back to the family farm.  He then worked with MetLife Ins Co as a Certified Financial Planner serving businesses and families throughout the mid-west up until his death. Leon enjoyed flying his 1942 Interstate Cadet WWII Trainer airplane in his off time.  He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church, the Everest Lions Club, Everest Historical Society, and numerous professional organizations.  Leon enjoyed traveling with his wife Glenda, taking many cruises all over the world.  They loved spending time with their family, especially in Winter Park, CO and Table Rock, MO.  Less than a week before he passed, he spent the holidays with his family in the Caribbean on a Disney Cruise.   

Leon is survived by Glenda, his wife of over 53 years, son Kurt Torkelson and wife Amy of Basehor, KS, daughter Kari Anderson and husband Brian of Leavenworth, and five grandchildren, Aubrey, Chase, and Brody Torkelson and Jonas and Anya Anderson.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Eileen Herbert.   

A visitation will be held Monday, January 8, 2017 at the Zion Lutheran Church (1521 Prairie Rd  Everest, KS) from 4-8pm.  A service will be held at 10am Tuesday at the church.  Burial with military honors will follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the church, the Everest Lions Club, or the Leon Torkelson Education Scholarship, all in care of the Leintz Funeral Home (4701 10th Ave  Leavenworth, KS  66048…913-351-0200).